5 Things Jack Sparrow Taught Me About Fashion & Makeup

The first time I laid eyes on Captain Jack Sparrow I was completely flabbergasted. I didn’t know what to think.

The dreadlocks. The gold teeth. The goatee. The leather hat. The hair trinkets. The coat. The eye makeup. The individual elements looked… ridiculous. (If you need a reminder, check this out.)

Yet, somehow… he was strangely confident. He had a certain swagger. A sexiness.

He was untouchable. He was perfect.

This came up during a conversation a friend and I were having about the upcoming release of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. She couldn’t believe it when I suggested that Jack was – in a way – a fashion icon.

She doesn’t think so.

I would argue he is because he has taught us some important lessons about style, including the following:

1. Everyone should own a kohl eye pencil

Jack took a page out of Cleopatra’s book and lined his eyes in black kohl. Look at how those babies POP. So sexy. If it’s good enough for the two of them, it’s good enough for me! (My recommendation: MAC eye kohl)

2. Think outside the box.

Find new ways to use the pieces you have lying around your closet. Here, Jack wears one scarf as a headband and another as a belt/sash. Why not try belting a scarf? Or using it as a turban? If you are a DIYer, consider refashioning some of the things you are bored with – it’s the easiest way to breathe life into them!

3. What’s better than 1 ring? 2 rings! 3 rings! 4 rings!

It’s no secret that I am addicted to rings (I can’t wait to share my latest purchase with you all when I receive it!). Jack is a man after my own heart with the bling he wears. You don’t have to limit yourself to 1 or 2 statement rings. The more the merrier! But if you go big on the rings, you will probably want to keep your other jewelry minimal.

4. Your hair is what truly completes your look.

One of the beliefs my mother instilled in me at a young age is that your hair is your most important accessory. It doesn’t matter if you are rocking the latest Tom Ford design and some killer Louboutin’s – if your hair is a wreck it will ruin the whole look. Jack is very proud of his rockstar dreadlocks and adds some extra glam with his hair trinkets. Figure out what works for you and make your hair the most important part of your look. You do wear it every day, don’t you?

5. Romantic + Edgy = WIN!

When you find a particular style that suits you and your personality, work it. Jack has mastered romantic rockstar chic. He masterfully melds silks and lace with leather, fur, mega-bling and dreads. And his makeup? There are no words. Truly.

Conclusion

“I regret nothing, ever.” – Captain Jack Sparrow

I love Captain Jack Sparrow’s no apologies approach to fashion. He is his own man and owns his look. All others are cheap imitations.

So, what do you think? Jack Sparrow – fashion icon or no?

What surprising individual has taught you some lessons about style?

All images courtesy of Google Images and used for entertainment purposes only. The character of Jack Sparrow is the property of Disney.

Who doesn’t love Jack Sparrow? He’s one incredible pirate. And I agree completely, he’s most definitely a fashion icon. Who could forget the odd choices he made that came together so well and made him indescribably sexy? There’s a reason he’s many a girl’s fantasy come to life.

Thanks for the great post outlining just why we love him! How could I resist an article that promised pictures of Jack Sparrow? Have a great day!

Jack Sparrow is a fashion icon, certainly, but in the same way that Marilyn Monroe (and Manson, for that matter) and Pamela Anderson are. There’s is the kind of unforgettable style only to be imitated at halloween parties for decades to come!

I think he is HOT and so are YOU! I was smiling and nodding and laughing trough your whole post, I love love love it, and I subscribe to all of the five points! This is one of the best reads ever. You are so talented my dear, soulful, funny, with georgeous locks and a heart of gold. I adore you! I am off to tweet and share this post everywhere! Hope you are sleeping thight still, I am having my morning coffee at work. Hugs!

Such an individual approach to what a fashion icon is. I enjoyed this post. Witty but also informative. No wonder it was retweeted last week so many times. I’m going for Jack Sparrow as a fashion icon.

So glad you passed on the eyeliner recommendation. Been looking for a nice, soft kohl. This very day I took a match to my pencil so I could soften it for a nice black, inside-the-eye line. Looking for a pencil that will do that, sans flame!

And yeah, I’ve been feeling the ring love, too. But you already knew that. 😉

I cannot agree more – Jack totally is a fashion icon! In fact, when the “Pirates” first came out, I was so obsessed with his persona, I tried to dress like him for Halloween 😀 I love his rock’n’roll style and attitude – after all, that’s what made the movie interesting in the first place! Who wants another common pirate…
By the way you convinced me – gonna get me a black kohl! I mean I do like myself with softer colors – I usually use brown eye pencil and eyeliner, but for special occasions – black could be perfect!
P.S.: Just followed you, dear! If you have a moment, please check out my blog and follow if you like.
Cheers,
Alexhttp://lifestylegeek.blogspot.com/

Going to see Jack tomorrow…can’t wait! He does have a lovely look, doesn’t he? Last year at Vacation Bible School our theme was pirates and I lined my eyes pretty good with black liner and one of the ladies told me I should wear it more often, so I think you’re on to something here!

Wow…that was absolutely incredible. I also believe we can learn great things from Captain Jack Sparrow. Can’t wait to see the movie! Yes, your mom is so right. Hair is so important as an accessory. Trying to find the right style can be a challenge. Thank you for this fun and clever post! Really enjoyed it!
XO Carriehttp://www.carriefabulous.com

Hi-lare. Seriously, I would never have thought to do a post like this, but you’re so right! I think we should start to consider Mr. Sparrow a model in life on the whole: rum is good, adventures are fun, never go less than 100% into anything, and when in doubt make a fool of yourself.

YES! I have always loved his look in these movies! And I definitely agree with his (your) tips – definitely applicable. I somehow never thought about belting a scarf – I’m definitely going to try that out this weekend.

Just stumbled upon your blog on the Link a la Mode on IFB and gotta admit I was a bit apprehensive when I saw the blog title, but amazed at how right you are! The Captain certainly knows how to rock pirate/rebel chic completely fearlessly.
You’ve definitely gained a follower 🙂 xoxo

This post is hilarious!! And so right on. Jack Sparrow IS a fashion icon, no question. I would also agree that there’s a certain sexiness to his devil-may-care attitude and confident swagger, and we could all stand to take a few pages from his play book.

Thanks for commenting on my blog. I appreciate your honest and kind feedback. The points you raised in your original post really are helpful, and I read it with interest when I first stumbled across it weeks ago. I read everything I can find about how to improve my blog, but the sulky teenager inside of me has a hard time admitting it sometimes. I’m really quite uncertain when it comes to blogging, since I’m still pretty new at it, which is why I’m reluctant to air peeves. You know, glass houses, stones, that sort of thing.

Love.This.Post. Seriously. I always thought Jack Sparrow was sexy, even if it’s in a you-know-he-totally-smells way. But honestly, great post. Totally love it. Especially loving how you deconstructed the way he blended romance and rock star chic–so true!

You read Copyblogger, don’t you darling? Me, too, and I was wondering how to use this idea of fascination and usefulness together. You have pulled it off expertly and beautifully. Congratulations on a fantastic post. And “I regret nothing, ever” is my new mantra, starting today.

DUDE…I knew I loved you. I am most obsessed with Captain Jack and have expressed such on la blog multiple times. People must think I’m a nut! Haha. LOVE, love, love this post. And I clearly need to get a kohl eyeliner. My friend did a guest post today on the smoky eye look and she sang the praises of kohl too!

Actually, I totally agree, especially (loving) the way you broke it down-to-size here. I have had a kohl type of eye pencil from the first time I was digging in my mother’s makeup bag as a little girl! This has such humour…
How appropriate this quote is & I agree, “I regret nothing, ever” I love that B!

I’m starting to sound like a broken record but GREAT POST! Maybe the best fashion blog post EVER WRITTEN! I love it! And I totally agree with you. Captain Jack is a fashion icon. I have always loved the pirate “look”, even when I was a kid, though I’ve never worn it myself.

GREAT post! The other two elements that I think make this look so perfect are confidence and humour! He doesn’t care what anyone thinks plus he doesn’t take himself too seriously… and that is sexy as all get out!

I NEVER thought he looked ridiculous but I did think that he would act ridiculous, ha! I love all the points you made about his wardrobe. This list is just absolutely perfect. I’ve always loved the things that make him Captain Jack Sparrow. The kohl, THAT hat, his walk. He’s kind of perfect in a weird sort of way.

AH!!! As if I could not love you more!!! This post had me smiling as I scrolled!

I adore Jack Sparrow!!! Johnny Depp was the 1st boy I fell in love with…so I’m bias, but I agree with all your points! And Mr. Sparrow totally has one-upped me in some of his fashion! Kohl eye, I have yet to master…shame face.

I love all the captions in your last pic! Billowy shirt!! Yes please!!! Edgy knee-high boots! Um yes to that too!!

I love this post! I definitely think he is a style icon, just because he is a fictional character doesn’t mean he can’t be… carrie bradshaw was one!! 🙂
I also agree with number 1….i ALWAYS wear eyeliner, doesn’t matter if I have other makeup on or not, as long as I have my eyes done, everythings good!!
I think romantic rockstar is the perfect way to describe his look!
xoxo

Dying. Captain Jack Sparrow’s a total fashion icon – and a total stud muffin, I mean come on. (I should add that when the first movie came out a sixteen year-old Casee Marie found herself utterly obsessed – I have a copy of the script and everything. Yeah.)

He definitely revolutionized the kohl pencil. I don’t think I’ve ever known a fictional character to create the sort of lasting impact on pop culture that he did – in all aspects. Although I do have to say I think I credit Phoebe from Friends as my original multi-ring inspiration. She and Jack have some oddly similar style sense, come to think of it.

Did I mention this was a brilliant post, and exactly what I needed? I’ve been feeling too serious about blogging lately and this was the perfect bit of escapism.

I would have to agree with you! There is definitely something about him that is edgy and sexy. It’s a certain appeal that the costuming/overall fashion & style of Jack Sparrow that just screams for your attention, but not in a bad way. I LOVE khol eye pencil. I use it every day on my water line. Another fun use for it – If you draw on your lids with it, you can smudge it into an awesome super quick smoky eye. Two looks in one product? I’ll take it!